Wild Orchid, Anantara Resort and Spa, Seminyak, Bali

Published on September 6, 2014

Situated directly on Seminyak Beach, Wild Orchid restaurant first captured our attention with their gourmet breakfasts. After nearly three weeks of travel in Bali, we’d done our fare share of sampling and found the morning fare at Anantara Resort and Spa undoubtedly the best hotel start to the day we’d come across.

An epicurean feast, comprising a compact buffet of international and Asian bites supported by an a la carte menu, is the stuff brekkie lover’s dreams are made of. Everything sounded so tempting it was hard to know where to start. Lucky we had three days at Anantara Resort and Spa so we made a concerted attempt at trying it all.

Green Tea and Cashew Nut Biscuit

The buffet has a wonderful cheese selection. There’s not a strip of plastic Gouda or overly processed cheddar in sight. Instead we nibbled on fresh mozzarella with olives, feta and sun-dried tomatoes, oozy wedges of Brie, and many more as the array changed daily. The same goes for the cold cuts and smoked meats display, which is adjusted seasonally and also in accordance to the daily catch in the case of smoked fish.

Local Sweets

Healthy fare is found in a showcase of fresh and dried fruits, yoghurts, cereals and a variety of milk options: soy; skim; yoghurt; and full cream; but the pastry section is assured to test your willpower. Freshly baked croissants, Danishes, muffins and fruit tarts have even the most nutritiously minded ogling the oven-baked parade. Some local delights, both sweet and savoury, round up the assortment. And… that’s just the mini-buffet.

Cassava Hotcakes with Tamarillo Butter – Must Try!!!

The a la carte menu had our heads spinning. How to choose? We sincerely endeavored to appreciate across the list, but we did have some clear favourites that we couldn’t help placing repeat orders. Antantara eggs benedict; egg white omelette with rocket and olives; fluffy banana pancakes with honeycomb and mascarpone; cassava hotcakes with tamarillo butter… It’s all so scrumptious. Besides the location and wonderful boutique attention to detail, breakfast alone is reason enough to check-in to Anantara Resort and Spa. And… the line-up of creative cuisine doesn’t stop at breakfast.

Anantara Eggs Benedict

Banana Pancakes with Honeycomb and Mascarpone

An assortment of local fare, world flavours and some healthy options too are made to order for the rest of the day up until 11pm. Views are entertaining on either side of the restaurant with open kitchens granting a peek into the work behind the scenes on one end and, bewitching sunsets and the grandness of the Indian Ocean contemplated from the other.

Egg White Omelette

On our first day we sampled Rare Tuna Tacos (Rp. 145 000) with black beans, feta, guacamole and mango salsa, and a Roast Chicken and Pomelo Salad (Rp. 115 000) heaped with coriander, shallots and a chili lime dressing. Both were mouthwateringly fresh and offered just enough of a twist on each of the original versions to keep us intrigued, and wanting to try more.

A Healthy Lifestyle section showcased raw, vegan and healthy (nutritionally dense, low calorie foods with moderate levels of protein and carbohydrates) listed with their nutritional contents below each description. Cashew Hummus (Rp. 95 000) with flaxseed crackers and Greek vegetables made a delicious raw start for me. Followed up with the Organic Quinoa Salad (Rp. 125 000) featuring toasted almonds, nashi pear, papaya relish and a curry vinaigrette, I was a very happy girl.

Raw Cashew Hommus with Flaxseed Crackers and Greek Vegetables

Organic Quinoa Salad

Hubby thought he’d balance out his burger order by starting with something lighter so the Steamed Edamame (Rp. 55 000) was his conscious calming choice. Topped with black and white sesame seeds and an addictive lime salt, it was a great start. Tipping the seesaw in the opposite direction, the US Angus Beef Burger (Rp. 165 000) got his vote for a tasty main. A plump beef patty came wedged between a soft bun with melted cheddar cheese, grilled onion and meaty strips of bacon. The top bun slice was just off centre revealing the crowning glory, a sunny-side-up fried egg seductively bulging and stretching its membrane, ready to release a stream of runny yolk at the slightest nick.

Edamame

US Angus Beef Burger

Skipping dessert, we decided on cocktails instead. We blame the seaside location on our midday imbibition. Adorned with a slice of star fruit, the Colonel Martini (Rp. 125 000), with vodka, Triple sec, sweet and sour, fresh cucumber and muddled star fruit, coaxed us on to continue. A splash of local was savoured in the Arak Madu (Rp. 125 000) with arak, muddled lime wedge and local honey. In a final thirst quencher we sipped on the Pink Flamingo Ice Tea (Rp. 60 000). A non-alcoholic blend of TWG Pink Flamingo poured over ice with fresh berries and blackberry syrup for sweetness, cooled, refreshed and left us with thoughts of our next return.

Arak Madu

Colonel Martini

Pink Flamingo

Reasons to visit: awesome location right on Seminyak Beach; fresh light cuisine with raw, organic and vegan options; varied selection of both Western and Asian dishes; cocktails using local ingredients; delectable Western breakfasts with a splash of local flavour.

8 Comments

I'd love to try those local sweet treats – same as our peranakan/nyonya ones from the looks of them. All the eggs are just the way I love them, runny yolks. Pancakes look good too – my girl loves them like this, with bananas.